Bridgeport Man Sentenced to
Two Years in Federal Prison for Selling Firearms

AUG 19 -- Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HECTOR TORRES, also known as “Angel,” 19, of Railroad Avenue, Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday, August 18, by United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. TORRES pleaded guilty to the offense on May 14, 2009.

This matter stems from “Operation Young Gunz,” a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation conducted by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bridgeport Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Marshals Service. The eight-month investigation, which included numerous purchases of firearms, heroin and crack cocaine, targeted young, repeat offenders who sold and conspired to sell firearms for profit. Analysis of the firearms purchased during this investigation has revealed that several of the firearms were reported stolen and/or have been used in other crimes.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in November and December 2008, TORRES sold a total of five firearms to an individual working with law enforcement. Two of the firearms sold by TORRES were sawed-off shotguns with no serial numbers.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Marshals Service.